NEXT GAME: Thursday

Vancouver Canucks at Montreal Canadiens

4:30 p.m., Bell Centre, SNETP, SNET 650 AM

THE BIG MATCHUP

Jacob Markstrom vs. rest

With Wednesday’s trade of netminder Anders Nilsson to the Ottawa Senators, it seems almost certain that Jacob Markstrom will play again tonight against Montreal. New backup Mike McKenna is slated to head to Utica, the Canucks said, after adding him in exchange for Nilsson. It seems a wild notion that he would be handed a start, even if the numbers suggest starting the same goalie in back-to-back road games is wrong.

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Sutter’s return?

Brandon Sutter has been practising with Vancouver on this road trip. On Wednesday, Canucks coach Travis Green said Sutter would likely play in one or perhaps both of the final two games on this trip. If Sutter is activated off the injured reserve list, the Canucks will have to make a roster decision. Will it be one of the spare defencemen — Alex Biega or Michael Del Zotto — or might it be a surprise like Nikolay Goldobin?

2. Goldy’s future?

Goldobin came in for criticism from his coach Wednesday in explaining why he was a healthy scratch. Asked about possible trades to deal with the Canucks’ upcoming roster crunch — speculation has been swirling about Goldobin being shopped around the NHL — GM Jim Benning told reporters the team was exploring all options.

3. Price’s return

Carey Price practised with the Habs Wednesday and on Thursday, coach Claude Julien announced the Anahim Lake native will start against the Canucks. He’s been out for the last three games with an undisclosed lower-body injury.

The Canadiens feature a surprising first-line centre at the moment: Phillip Danault. He’s already two points ahead of the 25 he put up in 52 games last season for the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge and is 13 shy of his career high of 40, set in 2016-17. Safe to say he’s running with his opportunity.

5. Back-to-back

It’s never easy to be the team that’s travelling and playing two nights in a row. Fortunately for the Canucks, Montreal is just a short flight from Ottawa. Still travel is travel, and the Canucks will be looking to keep the game moving at their pace.

This Week's Flyers

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